ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Women and Child Development
NIPCCD organizes training programme on “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” at Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh
National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development  organized two days Training Programme on “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” for State Level Master Trainers of Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh and Gadchiroli Maharashtra  from 10-11 August, 2023 at NIPCCD Regional Centre, Indore. 50 participants attended the programme. Objectives of the programme were:
- To promote early stimulation for the first thousand days and Early Childhood Care and Education for the 3 to 6 year age group.
- To develop the capacities of Anganwadi workers with a basic understanding of the ECCE curriculum and pedagogical approaches, to enable them to provide high-quality play-based ECCE at the last mile
- To enable Anganwadi Workers to focus on the domains of development , and the development of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy , as well as related assessments
- To reinforce Anganwadi workers' understanding on nutrition, including Poshan 2.0 and Saksham Anganwadi, innovations in Poshan, Poshan Tracker, feeding practices, SAM/MAM management, micronutrient deficiencies etc.
Prime Minister's Office
Bilateral meeting between Prime Minister and President of Uzbekistan
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, today in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on the sidelines of the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization .
This is a special year for the two countries as it marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The leaders appreciated the overall progress in bilateral relations, including the implementation of decisions of the Virtual Summit in December 2020.
The two leaders touched upon priority areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly trade, economic cooperation and connectivity. They stressed the need to make concerted efforts to diversify the trade basket and enter into long-term arrangements to promote trade and investment. Connectivity was considered key to unlock the potential in this regard, including greater usage of the Chabahar port and the International North South Transport Corridor.
The leaders emphasized cooperation in fields like Information Technology, healthcare, higher education etc., based upon India’s developmental experience and expertise. Opening of Indian educational institutions and partnership between Uzbek and Indian universities was welcomed.
Regional issues, including Afghanistan were discussed. The leaders were unanimous in their view that the territory of Afghanistan should not be used for terrorist activities.
The leaders attached great importance to the outcomes of the First India-Central Asia Summit held in January this year. They acknowledged the progress being made in the implementation of the Summit decisions.
Prime Minister congratulated President Mirziyoyev for excellent organization of the SCO Summit and Uzbekistan’s successful chairmanship.
Ministry of Science & Technology
ARCI scientists convert tamarind waste & cotton waste to supercapacitor electrodes
Tamarind seeds and cotton waste may soon be used to make low-cost supercapacitors for energy storage – thanks to the efforts of a group of Indian scientists who have used such waste biomass to develop materials for making cost-effective supercapacitor devices. This can pave the way towards affordable electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles which bank on supercapacitors significantly for their application in braking systems and start-stop cycles.
Responding to the intense hunt for supercapacitor materials to meet the widespread demand for supercapacitors, Scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials , an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology , Govt. of India, have developed a couple of cost-effective electrode material for making affordable supercapacitor devices, from waste biomass like tamarind seeds and industrial cotton waste. They have converted the waste materials into highly porous carbon fibres by activation process and then utilised the porous carbon fibres to make high-performance supercapacitor electrodes. The findings of their recent work have been published in the ‘Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics.’
The electrode materials made from the biomass waste has been tested with the help of a rapid testing protocol developed by Scientists at Centre for Fuel Cell Technology, ARCI-Chennai to evaluate different porous electrode materials for their suitability in supercapacitors. The protocol involves Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy  and records the impedance  offered by a material under a small perturbation and the capacitance  formed by the arrangement of electrolyte ions over the electrode surface, which is called as double-layer capacitance.
The ARCI scientists used it to test the pore characteristics and stability of the activated carbon material prepared from tamarind seed and its suitability for supercapacitor application.
The Dynamic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy  results observed by the ARCI team exhibited a superior double layer capacitance value at all the applied potentials for the optimized sample with high surface area  within 1 hour of the experiment, validating that the material could be used for supercapacitor electrode.
Dynamic Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as a rapid screening procedure to identify supercapacitor electrode material
[Publication link:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10854-019-02686-y
For more details contact Dr N. Rajalakshmi at rajalakshmi@arci.res.in,
]
Prime Minister's Office
PM shares highlights from a memorable Tamil New Year Celebration programme last evening
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared highlights from a memorable Tamil New Year Celebration programme last evening at Union Minister of State, Dr. L. Murugan’s residence in New Delhi. Shri Modi also shared a video clip of the Tamil New Year Celebration programme.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“Here are highlights from a memorable Tamil New Year Celebration programme last evening…”
Ministry of Education
Second batch of Tamil delegation reached Kashi on Tuesday to attend ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’
The second batch of Tamil delegation comprising students, cultural artists, academicians, litterateurs, historians, etc. from various parts of Tamil Nadu has reached the holy city of Kashi on Tuesday morning to attend the month long ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’. They were received with a grand welcome on their arrival at the Varanasi Cantt. Railway station. After attending the festival at Kashi, they will also visit Prayagraj and Ayodhya.
More delegates in similar groups from various parts of Tamil Nadu will be reaching Kashi in different batches to participate in the month long ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’. Apart from Varanasi, they will also visit Prayagraj and Ayodhya. The overarching objective of this people-to-people exchange programme is to bring these two traditions of knowledge and culture closer together, while building an understanding of shared heritage and strengthen ties between the people of these two regions . The delegation from Tamil Nadu will be able to understand the historical importance of ancient city of Kashi. During the course of the month long event, various cultural groups from Tamil Nadu will organize cultural programs in Kashi.
It is noteworthy that ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 19th November. Apart from the delegation from Tamil Nadu, local residents of Kashi in large numbers are also participating with great enthusiasm in this month long event.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condemns the the attack on the Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condemned the attack on the Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur. He paid homage to those soldiers and family members who have been martyred today.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"Strongly condemn the attack on the Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur. I pay homage to those soldiers and family members who have been martyred today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness."
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat felicitates winners of National short Films competition on ODF Plus under SBM  Phase 2
Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat felicitated the winners of National Short Films competition on ODF Plus/ Swachhata Filmon ka Amrit Mahotsav held early this year at an event here today organized by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation , Ministry of JalShakti. Shri Somnath Bag from West Bengal was awarded First prize for his film on Biogas/Gobardhan and Shri Lumlang Warjri of Meghalaya was felicitated with Second Prize for his film on Biodegradable Waste Management theme. The event was attended by Shri Pankaj Kumar, Secretary, MoJalShakti, Shri Arun Baroka, Additional Secretary, DDWS, other senior DDWS officials and media.
DDWS under Phase 2 of SBMG launched the National Level Short Films Competition ‘Swachhata Filmon ka Amrit Mahotsava’ as part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav  celebrations on April 16, 2021 for promoting mass awareness on ODF Plus components aiming at accelerating the momentum for achieving ODF Plus goals. The competition concluded on 31st August, 2021 and received over 4000 entries from across the country. The objective of the campaign aimed at taking forward the extraordinary milestone of ODF India achieved in Phase 1 of SBMG and sustaining the significant gains made in access to safe sanitation, embarking on comprehensive cleanliness or ODF Plus in villages. Amidst the Covid 19 pandemic backdrop, the film competition campaign was a very effective IEC tool for mobilizing the rural community on ODF Plus awareness by participation and influencing positive behaviour change overall.
In his address, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister said, SBMG has transformed rural India by manifesting into a Jan Andolan for sanitation under the guidance and leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi achieving Open Defecation Free  rural India milestone in mission mode . Taking forward the extraordinary success, Phase -II of the SBM  aiming at achieving ODF Plus goal was launched in 2020, which focuses on ODF sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management  aiming at comprehensive cleanliness in villages. He highlighted the importance of access to safe sanitation facilities in terms of social, economic and health benefits to rural community members especially the vulnerable and marginalized community. He congratulated all the participants for showing their enthusiasm in joining this JanAndolan for achieving the ODF Plus goal.
Shri Arun Baroka, Additional Secretary, DDWS, MoJS in his address said that behaviour change has always been at the core of SBMG. In Phase 2, the importance of IEC has increase multifold with objective of triggering behaviour change around various SLWM components of ODF Plus. Such community led campaigns give more strength to the program on the ground.
Ministry of Defence
Funds Allocated to the Armed Forces
The BE allocations of Army, Navy & Air Force for the last three years is tabulated below:

|
|
Services
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
Army
|
|
145167.22
|
|
153875.22
|
|
169909.74
|
|
Navy

|
|
37841.98
|
|
40419.53
|
|
45368.14
|
|
Air Force
|
|
58372.50
|
|
64591.44
|
|
68948.88
It may be seen from the above table that allocations for all the three Services are consistently increasing over the years in absolute terms. Allocations are made to the Services/ Organisations under Ministry of Defence keeping in view various factors such as ceilings conveyed by Ministry of Finance, pending committed liabilities, pace of expenditure, absorption capacity etc.
The details of the Budget projections and allocations of Army, Navy  and Air Force during 2019-20 and actual expenditure till 31.01.2020 are tabulated below:-

|
|
Services
|
|
BE
|
|
Actual Expenditure as on 31.01.2020
|
|
|
|
Projection
|
|
Allocation
|
|
Army
|
|
196981.89
|
|
169909.74
|
|
145496.39
|
|
Navy

|
|
64307.27
|
|
45368.14
|
|
41697.76
|
|
Air Force
|
|
109744.06
|
|
68948.88
|
|
65148.92
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Ravi Prakash Verma in Rajya Sabha today.
ABB/SS/Nampi/DK/Savvy/ADA
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Competition Commission of India
CCI approves subscription of compulsorily convertible debentures  of Piramal Enterprises Limited  by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
The Competition Commission of India  approves subscription of compulsorily convertible debentures  of Piramal Enterprises Limited  by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec , under Section 31 of the Competition Act, 2002. Upon conversion, equity shareholding of CDPQ in Piramal Enterprises will increase from 3.68 % to 8.99 %.
The proposed combination entails subscription of CCDs of Piramal Enterprises by CDPQ, which upon conversion would result in increase in equity shareholding of CDPQ in Piramal Enterprises from 3.68% to 8.99 % .
CDPQ, an institutional investor, is a Canadian institutional fund that manages and serves more than 40 depositors, which comprises public and private pension and insurance funds in Quebec, Canada.
Piramal Enterprises is an Indian multi-national conglomerate, with presence in financial services, pharmaceuticals and healthcare insights & analytics businesses. In India, its financial services business comprises, inter alia, wholesale lending , retail lending  and alternative asset management.
Detailed order of the Commission will follow.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs celebrating 'Consumer Empowerment Week' and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
41 Rural Outreach Programmes conducted by branch Offices of BIS across villages
Villagers sensitised about Consumer Rights
The Department of Consumer Affairs is celebrating the “Consumer Empowerment Week” from 14th March, 2022 to commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Under the celebrations of Iconic Week, seven programmes are being conducted by various departments of Bureau of Indian Standards . In addition to this, all branch offices of BIS have also conducted 41 Rural Outreach Programmes on 14 March, 2022 to mark the beginning of the iconic week. For this purpose, each of the branch offices has nominated a Nodal Officer and also has identified a village under their jurisdiction for conducting this programme.
Further, it is informed that all the branch offices successfully carried out the outreach programme wherein participants from villages were educated about their Consumer Rights, Consumer Protection Act, National Consumer Helpline, misleading advertisements, packaging and labeling requirements of products, etc. The participants were also informed about BIS schemes and activities including Hallmarking Scheme, ISI Mark, Mandatory Certification, etc.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organises Yoga event as a run up to International Day of Yoga 2022
Union Minister Shri Bhuperder Yadav and MOS Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey attend Yoga Event
A Yoga event was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as a run up to International Day of Yoga 2022, which is to be celebrated on 21st June 2022. This event was attended by Union Minister for Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav and Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for MoEFCC. Around 200 officers and staff members of the MoEFCC also participated in the Yoga Session which continued for more than 45 minutes. The Yoga instructors and volunteers were invited from Patanjali Yogapeeth who guided the participants. The Yoga event was followed by other activities and program such as play, pledge, competition quiz, etc. The event was live streamed across the country and all organisations under MoEFCC conducted the Yoga session together.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju sanctions Rs.5 lakhs each to help UP boxer Sunil Chauhan and Archer Neeraj Chauhan
The Sports Ministry has come forward to extend financial support to UP boxer Sunil Chauhan and his brother archer Neeraj Chauhan who were facing financial crunch after their father, who is the only earning member of the family, lost his job due to the pandemic and the family was forced to sell vegetables to make ends meet.
Taking cognizance of the matter and looking at the financial situation of the family, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri KirenRijiju has sanctioned an ex-gratia financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakhs each to the athletes under the PanditDeendayalUpadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons.
While archer Neeraj Chauhan has won the silver medal in 50m in Senior Archery Championship 2018 and won a medal at the 65th National School Games 2020, his brother Sunil Chauhan is a Boxer and won the Gold medal at Khelo India University Games, 2020.
Boxer Sunil Chauhan, when contacted about the financial assistance, was thrilled about the news and said: "the financial help will go a long way to help me and my family and we are really thankful to the minister to helping us at the time of our need."
Any needy sportsperson who is in financial need can apply for the assistance through the Sports Ministry's website or can also write to myasoffice[at]gmail[dot]com
Department of Atomic Energy
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh says, presently  nuclear power is saving 41 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, compared to the emissions that would be generated by equivalent electricity generation from coal based thermal power plants.
Union Minister of State, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Minister of State  Science & Technology, M/o Earth Sciences; MoS, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that presently  nuclear power is saving 41 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, compared to the emissions that would be generated by equivalent electricity generation from coal based thermal power plants.
In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that as part of Low Carbon Development of Electricity Systems consistent with Enhanced Development benefits, Government is exploring a significantly greater role for nuclear power. He added that nuclear power currently provides 3% of electricity generation. Sufficient production and share of nuclear power is essential for ensuring country’s energy security. Current policy targets a three-fold rise in nuclear installed capacity by 2032.
The Minister highlighted that nuclear energy can be considered for delivering base load power free of intermittency in place of energy from fossil fuels. DAE considers nuclear energy as a significant component of its non-fossil fuel power generation capacity and will continue to pursue research and innovation in this sector.
Dr Jitendra Singh further pointed out that the present installed nuclear power capacity is set to increase from 6780 MW to 22480 MW by 2031 on progressive completion of projects under construction and accorded sanction. He added that in the next three years, capacity addition of 5300 MW is planned on completion of KAPP 3&4 , RAPP 7&8 , KKNPP 3&4  and PFBR .
Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launches CRIIIO 4 GOOD modules to advance gender equality and empower young people
CRIIIO 4 Good Modules to be a medium to empower girl child and spread awareness about gender equity - Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched ‘CRIIIO 4 GOOD’, a new online, life skills learning modules, to promote gender equality among girls and boys. The programme was launched in association with the International Cricket Council, UNICEF, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Minister for Tribal Development, Primary, Secondary and Adult Education, Government of Gujarat, Dr. Kuber Dindor; Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs, Primary, Secondary and Adult Education, Higher Education, Shri Praful Pansheriya; Representative of UNICEF, Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey; Honorary Secretary, Board of Control for Cricket in India, Shri Jay Shah; Indian cricketer and Celebrity Supporter for ICC-UNICEF CRIIO 4 GOOD initiative, Smt. Smriti Mandhana; Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Shri Sanjay Kumar; officials of the Ministry of Education and UNICEF, and over 1000 children were also present for the event.
While speaking at the event, Shri Pradhan highlighted NEP 2020’s emphasis on gender parity and equal opportunities as a fundamental principle. Through CRIIIO 4 GOOD, the power of sports and the popularity of cricket can be used as a medium to empower the girl child and spread awareness about gender equity, he added. He mentioned how the country witnessed history in the making with the passage of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and taking India to the forefront of women-led development.
Smt. Smriti Mandhana shared the first learning modules of CRIIIO 4 GOOD with over 1000 school children at the stadium. The modules are highly engaging, and they use the power of cricket to talk about essential life skills and gender equity, among girls and boys in a fun, interactive way.
‘CRIIIO 4 GOOD’ is a series of 8 cricket-based animation films to promote gender parity, equip girls with life skills and encourage their participation in sports. Using the popularity and passion of cricket young audiences, ICC and UNICEF released these modules to inspire children and youth to adopt critical life skills and appreciate the importance of gender equality. The programme can be accessed free of cost on criiio.com/criiio4good in three languages: English, Hindi and Gujarati.
The themes of the eight modules are: leadership, problem-solving, confidence, decision-making, negotiation, empathy, teamwork and goal setting and are visualized through state-of-the-art animation using cricketing examples. In-depth research into local nuances has made these films real and relatable.